The Bard and The Spy
The sound of little feet and laughter echoed across the room. Ahri shifted her stance restlessly while she waited hidden in the shadows. It wasn't a secret that the ancient temple was haunted by ghosts. Even without the souls still lingering here, she would probably have heard the echo of the past. A blessing and a curse of their training. But no matter how familiar such a situation was, it didn't change the fact that her weakness was children. It made her sad and uncomfortable to think of how they had ended here. And at the same time this made this place the perfect meeting place. Most witnesses would dismiss figures in the shadows as the ghostly apparitions. And even if curious children in the area challenged each other to enter the building in tests of courage at night, during the day everyone avoided the walls for whatever reason.
The low growling of an animal made her sit up and take notice. A moment later, steps could be heard. Anna had pulled her hood deep into her face. Her wolverine ran close to her. Presumably the animal also perceived the spirits. She only looked around briefly before settling on the remains of a stone bench. Ahri broke out of the shadows and came over to her.
"Nice place to meet," remarked the bard ironically when Ahri stepped up next to her.
She just shrugged her shoulders.
"Nobody to disturb us. Have you talked to the people I mentioned to you?"
"I have. But before we move on, are you sure you don't want to ask Nathanael for help? Not because we need it, but it's about his brothers and sisters."
Ahri sighed inwardly. She had asked herself the question since her trail led back to the church. But so far she had decided that Nathaniel had enough things to do of his own. It wasn't that she distrusted him. If there was anyone among the clergy whom she blindly trusted, it was her mate. But something in her wanted to protect him from the possible truth. He was nobody who paid much attention to political games and she wasn't sure how he would react if the curtain was suddenly pulled aside.
"There's no reason to drag him in here except that I'm close to him," she replied.
Anna cocked her head a little while she looked at the person opposite.
"He's not as gullible as you sometimes think."
"Not that, but sometimes he doesn't have the political sensitivity when he sees injustice."
"That's true", Anna admitted to her, "Still it is a strange feeling not to be able to say anything to him."
"I know. Believe me, I know."
For a moment there was silence. Surprisingly, it was Anna who interrupted it again.
"Anyway. We wanted to start. Not that they miss you at the palace."
Ahri smiled and sat down next to Anna. If she was honest, she was happy to have an open conversation with a friend.